Category Archives: Advocacy

Boston Traffic / Robbie Shade - Flickr

Massachusetts signs on to TCI. Here’s What That Means

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Hillary T.

On Monday, December 21, leaders from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia officially signed on to the Transportation Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P). This bold agreement, which is the first of its kind in the nation, will significantly reduce regional carbon emissions, improving air quality and reducing pollution.

“Mass Audubon applauds Governor Baker and his staff for their leadership on TCI-P. This program is urgently needed to address the largest sector of greenhouse gas emissions in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region—the transportation sector,” states David J. O’Neill, President of Mass Audubon. “In the implementation of the TCI, we also will advocate vigorously for increasing funds to mitigate air pollution and provide more affordable and just transportation options for communities who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.” 

Boston Traffic / Robbie Shade - Flickr
Boston Traffic via Robbie Shade / Flickr Creative Commons

The TCI program raises funds through a cap-and-invest program that requires large fuel suppliers to purchase allowances for the pollution caused by the combustion of fuels they sell. These funds will be invested into clean transportation options, including public transit and electric vehicles.

The TCI-P also seeks to address decades of inequitable practices that disproportionately impact Brown, Black, and low-income communities. The TCI Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) commits a minimum of 35 percent of the proceeds be dedicated to communities underserved by the transportation system and overburdened by pollution. This is a start, but we know it is not enough to ensure that frontline communities benefit equitably from clean transportation projects and programs.

The involvement of environmental justice communities is essential in the creation of climate change policies that have lasting economic and public health impacts. While we are pleased to see a commitment to investing in our most climate vulnerable communities and to the Equity Advisory Boards outlined in the MOU, we are disappointed the process that led to the agreement was not an inclusive one.

TCI represents the significant strides needed to tackle the climate crisis for both people and wildlife. Given the indisputable science, we cannot afford to miss this opportunity to reduce transportation emissions and invest in clean, equitable mobility solutions. 

Leaving the Paris Agreement: What’s Next?

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Rishya N.
Mass Audubon Ipswich River wildlife sanctuary © Jared Leeds

Born from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s 21st summit, the Paris Agreement pledges to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius. This agreement was pivotal, demonstrating international dedication to collectively reducing and mitigating the effects of climate change. Since its inception in 2015, about 188 of the attending 197 countries have ratified the agreement. 

Last week, however, the United States officially became the first country to exit the Paris Agreement. While the withdrawal process began one year ago, the exit became finalized on November 4, 2020. 

Our Role in Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

The reason this withdrawal is so concerning is related to the United States’ enormous contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) – the root cause of climate change and its byproduct, global temperature rise. Between 1850 and 2011, our country was responsible for the largest portion of total greenhouse gas emissions compared to every other nation in the world. Even today, the United States continues to be the second largest GHG emitter worldwide. 

This global nature of GHGs is part of the reason why international collective action is so important. No matter where we are, our combined emissions contribute to the global phenomenon of climate change. Even more significant, just a few nations are responsible for a majority of these emissions, which then impact the entire planet. 

Collective Climate Action Isn’t Over 

Although the US has formally withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, much of the country is still committed to reaching these international targets. 

Including Massachusetts. 

We know that to fight climate change and protect the natural and human communities we love, we have to act boldly and urgently. Massachusetts is dedicated to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. This means that statewide, through a combination of reducing emissions and improving nature-based solutions, we, as a state, will not emit more GHGs than what we can soak back up and remove from the atmosphere. 

And here at Mass Audubon, we know when we work together, we can make an impact. 

Where We Go from Here 

There is still an opportunity for the United States to rejoin the Paris Agreement as soon as February 2021. There are also steps that we can all take to keep the momentum going on climate action.  

You can write to your elected official, urging them to continue to support clean, equitable climate legislation. You can make sure your community and local organizations (like schools) are committed to the nation-wide pledge dedicated to achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals. You can support community programs, like green municipal aggregation, which “greens” community electricity supply. You can talk about climate change with your friends and family to inspire hope and dedication to climate action (here’s an upcoming webinar to learn more).  

Use your voice, get active in your community, and inspire the people around you to make change. Our collective climate fight is far from over.